Character Research Anton Chigurh No country for Old men

Anton Chigurh, CHaracter Analysis

About the Character 

Chigurh is a Hitman who is devoid of conscience, remorse, and compassion. He is described by Carson Wells, a central character in the novel, as a “psychopathic killer", in his 30s, with a dark complexion, and eyes as "blue as lapis... Like wet stones." His signature weapon is a captive bold stunner, which he uses to kill his victims and also as a tool to shoot out door locks. He also wields a semiautomatic shotgun and pistol. This particular shotgun was only introduced in 1987 despite the film taking place in 1980. Throughout both the novel and the film, Chigurh flips a coin to decide the fate of some of his victims.

Oscar-winning hairstylist Paul LeBlanc designed the hairdo. The Coens instructed LeBlanc to create a "strange and unsettling" hairstyle. The actor supposedly said that he was "not going to get laid for two months" because of his haircut.

Chigurh kills without compassion or remorse, but always with deliberation. He is described as having his own twisted set of morals. While he does not kill without purpose, his reasons are at times abstract and typically selfish (e.g., murdering someone for the sole intention of taking their vehicle). He sees himself as a hand of fate; an instrument who exacts what is supposed to happen upon those he sees accountable. He gives many of his victims a chance to survive by making deals, either personally or by Flipping coins in making decisions. He is depicted as having a great deal of pain endurance, such as being capable of withstanding pain from multiple shotgun blasts or from a fractured arm.

Exploring Character Genre

Understanding the Character (Hair, Makeup and Costume)

Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh was styled in a way that could not go unnoticed as it outstood any traditional villain. 

In the white, beige plains and grounds of Texas, his outfits outstood as the BLACK and dark ensembles, contrasting any other character in the film, him being the anti of all. A Demin jacket in excruciating heat represents how nothing really gets to Chigurh. Socks inside pointed leather shoes represent how well put together the character remained.

Yet the ensemble was so simple and almost confused to as no efforts puts, Chigurh’s portrayal demanded that he went unnoticed but not ignored.

Other aspects were the hair and features that made the character of Javier so impressionable. 

One almost feels intimidated since the first scene, the way audience is captured in how sincere he looked, he looked like someone who wouldn’t hurt a soul but ended up killing people right from the beginning. His clean-shaven appearance with a side parted hairstyle was so sincere and calm that he created a sense of tension to what his actions would be. 

No rough edges, no harsh lines, the character looked studious and someone who could never be violent. 

Coin Toss scene

The significance of the wrap, crackling and opening up, built anxiety is the scene where the coin would flip to any side to decide fate. Chigurh’s expression was playful yet earnest, tension could be felt, and still, trust was felt.

Character Mood

Style Board

Costume for this look, digs deeper into the details of Chigurh, taking an all-dark look, from ribbed or faded denim to button-up shirts like the characters. 

Piercings to drive the point of “don’t feel pain” home. Coin jewellery is a symbolism of murder and soulless victimization. 

Hair and Makeup, inspired by
the antagonist, is edgy on the eyes, with wild bushy eyebrows, olive green eye shadow to incorporate the scheme of colors, with the killer, intense depth through the red undertone in the under eyes.

More depth through an eye line which is kohl black to bring about the edge and the depth.

Otherwise, the makeup needs to be very minimal and clean, also the hair needed to be put together, clean, and parted. 

A bun, open strands to braids as far as the face looked calm and put together.

Without contouring and blush, the face had to be paler and white with a nude glossy lip.

Final Look

The entire point of a gender reversal as far as Anton Chigurh the soulless murderer was to establish a look for a female character such as. 

The look has been established trying to keep in the non-stand-out motive of a killer like Chigurh’s yet, build in the more feminine dressing. 

A male-dominated genre of "psychopathic killer” when reversed needed more details like jewelry, makeup, and styling. From the sleek open hair to a linen shirt, with a rusty olive jacket to coin jewelry and piercing screamed attention, yet easy to look past.